Sixes symbolize the union of opposites, finding equilibrium, harmony in the face of constant change.  Wands are associated with inspiration, energy, passion, feeling, enterprise, ambition, matters pertaining to the "spark of life", and the element of fire. 

"You've met the challenge to your identity and come through it.  Now, the self you're presenting to the world is more confident and stable.  You feel more secure with your identity and sense of purpose or personal direction.  You're settling into the groove of being this self." - Gail Fairfield

When I first saw this card and realized it was reversed I thought "oh great, this is going to be a fun day".  Upon further reflection I realized that its message was more about not seeking victories on an external landscape and instead seeking internal victories.

The 6 trees on the Shining Tribe card almost resemble flying carpets or bizarre aliens landing on the earth.  A woman and dog are visible walking between them and what looks like a winged pair of eyes floats in the air amidst the trees.  The largest, most prominent tree has more bright red in its coloring then the others.  Perhaps this is the lead tree.  Her job is to help the others find their roots and settle into this new landscape.  Her message is not so much about victory through conquest but about victory through survival and persistence.  They will adapt and learn how to thrive in this new environment and that will be their victory.  They will adapt and change as necessarily in order to put down roots and survive.

The Druid Craft card shows a more traditional image of a mounted soldier riding through a grassy area with a group of men behind him.  Are they returning home after emerging victorious from a battle?  I get the sense they won the war but the toll was high.  This looks like a small group and they seem drained and exhausted.  It makes me wonder about situations where the victory is a pyrrhic one.  Yes, the battle was won but the cost may well destroy us.  In fact it reminds me a lot of steps the US took after the Sept 11th attacks.  So many people willingly gave up personal liberties for the illusion of safety.  The US government engaged in acts so antithetical to what Americans proclaim to believe that even if we crushed our perceived enemies, the US would be so altered that we would have lost what made us great.  It reminds me of the song "One Tin Soldier" by Coven.  It plays at the end of the movie Billy Jack (in itself a symbol for victory when one considers that Tom Laughlin managed to not only get it released but it became a huge hit as well) when Billy is being taken away by the police.  He has given himself up in order to protect the life of the young girl hiding with him.  Even though he knows that justice in this town is corrupt, he does the honorable thing so that she will not be hurt.  The lyrics of the song tell of two people who go to war because one of them wants what they perceive as the treasures of the others.  The aggressors ultimately win the battle but find that the "treasure" was not one of gold or jewels it was simple "peace on earth".  A very obvious message but a moving one nonetheless.  How can we truly be peace through war?  It defies logic.

Maybe that's the message of this card - don't seek victory at all costs.  Don't pursue accolades and acclaim at the cost of my own sprit and energy.  But that's only one part of this message.  I think the other part is to be grateful for small victories - the ones that will never win the recognition of others but which matter to me.  In this case the small victory was finding a private nurse to help my mother-in-law out for an hour a day and getting some support and help from the family doctor.  It was such a relief knowing the such small things could be achieved.  It's the first sign of progress we've had in a while.  So, although I can appreciate big victories as much as anyone else, for today I am toasting two small ones that will help make my life and my in-laws' lives slightly better.  Cheers!